My brothers and I operate six filling stations in the Lake District and we wouldn't want them anywhere else. We work from our HQ in Fleetwood, dealing with the accounting functions, and are supported by our office manageress, Helen, based at Prizet Services near Kendal. She makes our lives much easier and her organisational skills and happy approach to life make her indispensable but don't tell her that! Our three site managers are likewise indispensable and we have three of the best they keep the show on the road. They order fuel and shop products, staff the tills and deal with all the day-to-day issues of a typical forecourt. Mel, our maintenance man, keeps the sites looking neat and tidy, the jet washes and site services fully operational. He loves a chat on his daily rounds and tells me he likes to 'keep everybody happy'. Our staff are indeed our biggest asset.

When I get up at around 6.30am each weekday morning I can be sure of one thing that the working day ahead will bring a whole range of new challenges and opportunities.

I have worked for Mace Approach, a BP site in Andover, Hampshire, for six years and I love it. I was extremely chuffed last year to win the forecourt category of the Sales Assistant of the Year awards run by Forecourt Trader's sister publication Convenience Store. The judges said really nice things about me such as how hardworking, dependable and helpful I am and it really meant a lot. It's great that there is recognition of the key role that sales assistants play. I had a great time at the awards presentation and won £500 which I will put towards driving lessons. But I really want to win the overall top prize next time!

Joe and I get to the office for about 8.45 am. Joe is my eldest son and has been working with me for about 10 years. I have never worked long hours. I finish about 5.30pm and never work at the weekends. I suppose if I had been driven in the way of, say, Gerald Ronson and worked most of the time I would have been more successful. That was never an option. I earn money to have a good family life and have enough leisure time for my interests which are Manchester United, bridge, wine, travel, good food, antiques, holidays in France and, of course, my wife, four children, and five grandchildren (that list is not necessarily in any order of priority!).

I wake up every weekday morning with Sarah Kennedy my wife Stella doesn't mind as she quite likes her. My Blackberry and my wife rule my life, but only because I let them. The Blackberry alarm is set for 6.30am, seven days a week. Monday to Friday are school-run days. Not quite like Groundhog Day, but similar.

I'm normally on the road by 6am, with a mug of tea by my side for the journey ahead - apart from Mondays when I tend to work from home, tidying up paperwork and resolving outstanding queries. I am away at least two nights a week. I know the work-life balance is not ideal, or the 50,000 miles a year I clock up, but I still have the same drive and enthusiasm now that I had when I joined Gulf Oil (GB) Ltd in the '80s, just a lot more Best Western loyalty points!

First I check the emails. We are on daily Platts now, and the price seems to move with the stock market at the moment. BigOil is my first reference as to how prices will change today. And Total's email will come in shortly.